SKIN CONDITIONS CAUSED BY PLANTS
I was shocked recently when I heard about one of my favourite patients. I had treated this charming lady for many years, and I had grown very fond of her. When I returned from abroad a little while ago I was told that she had died suddenly from an unexpected infection. She was a great gardener and our love for gardening was something we had in common. While pruning her roses, she had scratched herself on a thorn. The skin reacted and an infection set in, which was so severe that it cost her her life. If action had been taken a little sooner, the story would probably have ended differently: any abrasion or wound must be taken care of immediately. This need not turn us into hypochondriacs or neurotics, it is merely a matter of common sense.
The skin is also a very important organ in the elimination process. Since the body of an adult contains over two million sweat glands, in order to achieve perfect health, every sweat gland must be in a condition to carry out its particular function. We eliminate the poisons from our body through the pores of our skin or sweat glands. If the glands are not active, there will be problems in the blood, the kidneys and the bowels. When these little glands are active, they excrete the harmful acids and waste material from our body. They also eliminate broken-down minerals and tissue. Two pieces of evidence point to a harmony between the sweat glands and other parts of the system. Firstly, when we perspire, the odour of dead gas is evident. Secondly, as proof of the elimination of dead tissue and decomposed minerals, you will find that when the sweat glands of the face become inactive, blackheads develop. If you squeeze these blackheads, on examination you will find a soft pasty substance. This is decomposed mineral and broken-down tissue, eliminated through the pores. Now, if this function is not performed properly and the body is not able to rid itself of these substances, but allows an accumulation in the sweat gland, a blackhead is formed, and all elimination through that gland is blocked. So, any waste products, including noxious gases, remain stuck within. When they reach the skin and are unable to escape, they condense into moisture which settles in different parts of the body, and starts decaying. This moisture, which can be called 'old water', weighs as much as 16 to 181bs per gallon, while the specific gravity of fresh water is 81bs per gallon. When the sweat glands fail to eliminate this refuse, it is taken into the lymphatic system, then into the bloodstream and must be carried to the bowel and filtered by the kidneys, in which case the kidneys would have to eliminate 16 times more than normal. This 'old water' begins to accumulate in the body and the flesh becomes hard and bloated. This in turn interferes with the sweat glands. There is less heat in the lower part of our body, because the circulation is less efficient further from the heart. Many people perspire freely from the forehead, palms of the hands and under the arms. This is because there is more heat in the upper part of the body. Perspiration is also noticed in the lower part of the body, as there are many sweat glands in this area which remain open and allow free flow from the inside, out through the pores. Perspiration odour in this part of the body can be strong, sometimes stronger than under the arms. The hair under the arms is supposed to keep the sweat glands free from blockage, so shaving the hair is unwise.
It is possible to locate problems in any of the organs of the body by paying strict attention to the skin. If there is a problem in the circulation, a cold patch will appear over the heart, whereas if the circulation is good, the entire chest will be warm. Lung or bronchial trouble may be detected by laying one's hand on the upper part of the chest, beneath the collar bone. Any difference in skin temperature can indicate a problem. If the problem is in the stomach or duodenum, one will find the cold spot on the front of the body underneath the diaphragm, just below the ribs. If the trouble is in the reproductive organs, one will find the cold spot just above the pelvic bone. With ovarian trouble, it seems to be nearer the hip bone. If there are problems in the rectum, such as piles, the cold spot will be found on the lower back, over the sacrum.
Every organ of the body will reflect its condition in signs on the skin. When there is trouble in the eyes, ears or throat, one will find cold spots on the head, the back of the neck, and the shoulders and arms. Over the location area of each organ there will be perspiration as the organ perspires. If, for any reason, the perspiration is checked, a cold spot develops: if the liver is not working properly, there will be a cold spot over the area of the liver as the action of the sweat glands is retarded. As the perspiration leaves the body in other areas, you will notice a particular odour, because of the retarded action of the liver. At times the odour of the body may be like that of the stomach and bowels, or like that of the kidneys after urinating. Feel for yourself by placing the palms of your hands on different areas of your skin.
The soles of the feet are also very important for elimination. Many people have caused themselves serious problems in the kidneys and the lower limbs because they prevent perspiration, using various solutions and patent medicines. As I said at the beginning of this chapter, it is terribly important that we do not prevent perspiration, just remove the odour.
*5\147\2*
